"Incheon Church Pastor's Sermon Controversy: 'COVID-19 as God's Judgment and Warning'"

"Using QR Codes Sends Information to China"
38 COVID-19 Cases Related to Joonim's Church in Seo-gu, Incheon

On the 29th of last month, Pastor A of Joonim Church in Seo-gu, Incheon, delivering a sermon to the congregation / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Controversy is spreading after it was revealed that the pastor of a church in Seo-gu, Incheon, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, claimed during a worship service a month ago that "(the COVID-19 situation) is God's judgment."

According to the website of Joonim's Church on the 31st, a video titled '[Wednesday Overnight Worship] The Face of Jesus, The Face of God' was posted. The video shows Pastor A delivering a sermon to the congregation on the 29th of last month.

During the worship service, Pastor A stated, "The COVID-19 virus came out because it targeted homosexuals and originated from heretics and cults," adding, "It is unfortunate that many people have died, but it is God's judgment and warning."

He continued, "It is said that if you use the QR code, all information is transferred to China," and said, "In the future, when a vaccine is developed, the genes of vaccinated people will be manipulated to control their mind and body. Ultimately, it will lead to controlling humans."

According to Yonhap News on the same day, Joonim's Church explained Pastor A's sermon as "words intended to encourage Christians to stay centered and pray even amid much confusion." They also requested, "Please watch the entire 50-minute sermon on that day rather than focusing on specific parts."

Meanwhile, since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed at the church on the 22nd, a total of 38 cases have been reported. Pastor A is also understood to have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the city and quarantine authorities, B (71, Incheon case number 539), presumed to be the first patient related to Joonim's Church, attended a rally in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 15th and was found to have come into contact with church member C (43, Incheon case number 572) on the 20th.

It was investigated that Joonim's Church held in-person worship on the 16th. However, the Wednesday worship on the 19th was not held, and the Sunday worship on the 23rd was replaced with an online service, with all worship services subsequently suspended.

The city conducted comprehensive testing on 168 people, including church members and their families, and ordered the closure of the building housing the church until the 28th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.